The Rules of Driving in France, Episode 16

CLICK TO PLAY THIS EPISODE

In this episode about the rules of driving in France, Annie and her husband David talk about driving in France. Should you rent a car? How safe is it? Is driving hectic in France? We start with misconceptions, then we explain differences you should know about, and we also give you tips so you can relax. Have you considered setting out on your own to explore the French countryside? This episode will help you decide if it's for you or not. Where will you go? Vineyards? French villages? Renting a car does open a lot of options for you!

Testimonial

«I just returned from a trip to France. We could not take a train due to the strikes and ended up driving across France from the Dordogne to Paris. What a wonderful experience! The podcast on driving in France was a HUGE help with parking, highways and the red plus signs at traffic lights. Thank you so much!» Robin Friedberg OConnor

Book Your Car in Advance Especially if You Need an Automatic!

Renting an automatic is not as difficult as it used to be in France, but depending on the place where you’ll pickup they may or may not have a car that suits your needs. Shop for your rental car in advance!

my wife and i had a wonderful two weeks – flew into CDG, got a rental car, and made a grand counterclockwise circle around france. the only hectic part were the first and last days – getting out of and back into paris. there’s no way we could have seen the countryside as we did any other way. normandy, the loire, perigord, biarritz, the pyrennes, narbonne, and on across the riviera and up into the alps. the highlight for my wife, a edward and wallis simpson fanatic, was finding and touring chateau cande, where they were married. the highlight for… Read more »

Vote Up0Vote Down

4 years ago

Guest

Ron Witzke

After returning to the States, this past June, from a trip to France including traveling from Monpazier to Tours and then Paris , I received a speeding ticket in the mail at home for going 5km over the limit. I don’t know where I received the ticket, as it was by camera. 5 km is about the width of the speedo needle. I paid the fine on line, 40Euros, but it is a reminder that in France, unlike the States, the speed limit is not guidance, but unforgiving. I always reread/listen to this episode before returning to France which we… Read more »

I drove in France for 3 weeks after spending a week in Paris. I found driving in France no more challenging than driving in the US northeast where you also do not want a car in a large city. It gave me the freedom to go where I wanted and to stop at any place that looked interesting. You can not do that using mass transit.

About This Site

Annie Sargent is the producer of the Join Us in France Travel Podcast. She lives in France with her husband and daughter. We're a French-American family: Annie born and raised in France but lived in the US for 20 years, David born and raised in the US but living in France for over 13 years.
Pull up a chair and get comfortable. We've got lots to share with you about France!